[Efficacy of endosonographic method in determining the stage and depth of gastrointestinal cancers]

The staging of gastrointestinal cancer has an important role in the treatment of tumor. This study was done to determine the efficacy of endosonography method for determining the stage and deepth of esophagus and stomach cancers. In this descriptive study, endosonographic staging was performed in 23 patients [15 male and 8 female] with esophagus and stomach cancers, confirmed with pathologic findings in Taleghani hospital, Tehran, Iran during 2002-04. The results of surgical staging compared to preoperative endosonographic method. Mean age of 23 patients was 57.2 years [43-72 years]. 30% and 70% of the patients had esophageal and gastric cancers, respectively. The accuracy of endosonographic staging of esophagus and stomach cancers was 82%. The accuracy of diagnosis, positive and negative predictive value of cancers in assessment of the depth of the tumor by endosonography procedure were 79.4%, 69.6% and 84.9%, respectively. Endosonography is a precise method for evaluating depth and staging of tumor and lymph node involvement

[Celiac disease as a potential cause of idiopathic portal hypertension: a case report]

Celiac disease can be associated with various extra intestinal symptoms such as primary biliary cirrhosis and auto immune hepatitis but idiopathic portal hypertension is a very rare phenomenon. IPH patient typically has splenomegally, esophageal varices and sometimes Icter and ascitis. A case of IPH in a 38 year old woman with celiac disease. She had been suffering from Ascites, Splenomegally, malaise and apathy for several years and had undergone treatment for cryptogenic cirrhosis. Diagnostic re-examination of the patient such as Serology tests and markers from Wilson disease, auto immune and viral hepatitis showed negative reports, but her liver function test and ESR were prolonged In upper GI endoscopy esophageal varices was detected. Abdominal sonography reported moderate to severe splenomegally and rise of portal vein diameter but did not show any evidence of thrombosis. Liver biopsy revealed no sign of cirrhosis. But duodenal biopsy and serologic finding were compatible with celiac disease. Her symptoms improved on a gluten-free diet and her liver function test and ESR were normal

[Celiac disease as a potential cause of liver enzyme dysfunction]

Celiac disease is one of the most common cause of malabsorption syndrome. The symptom of this disease associated secondary to malabsorbtive problems. Celiac can be accompanied with liver enzyme dysfunction with various extra intestinal findings. This case was a 27-year old man presented with abnormal liver function test over period of 1 year. He did not have another symptom such as diarrhea, weight loss or skin lesion. In medical examination, there was no ascites, peripheral edema or jaundice. Diagnostic re-examination of the patient include serology tests and Viral hepatitis, Wilson disease and auto imuune responses showed to be normal. Abdominal and biliary sonography had normal results. Liver biopsy revealed no sign of any pathology, but duodenal biopsy and serologic findings were compatible by Celiac disease. The symptom improved on a gluten-free diet and his liver enzyme function tests became normal subsequently